Truman’s Bar & Grill
20 years of cheers, wings, and Bloody Mary
For two decades, Truman’s Bar & Grill has been the go-to spot for early-morning breakfasts, late-night celebrations, and every Chiefs touchdown in between. It’s where regulars know the bartenders by name and appreciate the cabin-style atmosphere with television screens from every angle, so an offensive or defensive play is never missed. And the drinks are as strong as the opinions on game day.
Truman’s Bar & Grill celebrated its 20th anniversary on January 17. The celebration isn’t just about marking time — it’s about honoring a legacy built on a friendly space, comfort food, and a lot of TVs.
A Bar for Everyone
Step inside Truman’s, and you’ll immediately sense the energy of sports. On a Saturday afternoon, the place is packed with fans donning red and gold, roaring for the Chiefs or local favorites such as Mizzou football and basketball.
But at 6 a.m., the crowd is different. It’s nurses, EMTs, and firefighters coming off overnight shifts, unwinding with a hearty breakfast and a strong cup of coffee — or, for the bolder ones, a “Naughty Nurse,” a tropical rum cocktail that started as a tribute to a group of regulars in scrubs.
By 4 p.m., Happy Hour regulars trickle in. Half-priced drinks flow until 7 p.m., and again from 10 p.m. to midnight. Tuesdays are a fan favorite, with Happy Hour running all day and $6 tacos stealing the show. But if you ask the longtime customers what the real draw is, they’ll tell you: it’s the people.
“We’ve got folks who have been coming here since day one,” says Candy, one of the managers who has kept Truman’s running since 2005. “Some bring their families every Sunday after church for our breakfast buffet, some come for the wings, and some just want to catch the game with good company.”
Breakfast Anytime, Big Burgers, and Famous Wings
Food at Truman’s isn’t an afterthought. The breakfast menu is available all day, because sometimes, you just need a plate of pancakes and eggs, no matter the time of day. Their Breakfast Stack — a towering masterpiece of biscuits, sausage gravy, cheese, eggs, hash browns, and whatever toppings you desire — has developed a cult following.
On weekends, the breakfast buffet is the place to be. It is open until 2 p.m. and features biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, French toast sticks, fresh fruit, pastries, and a made-to-order omelet bar. It’s the ultimate continental breakfast that hotels used to provide, but it can now be enjoyed at the neighborhood sports bar.
The burgers are a must if you’re here for lunch or dinner. They’re hand-pattied in-house daily, and with thirteen variations, there’s something for every craving. The Bacon Western is the most popular, which is a quarter pound of beef with hickory BBQ, bacon, onion rings, and topped with cheddar. A loyal customer at a nearby table ordered The Godfather, a rich and indulgent flavor blend, a local favorite. At the same time, the Volcano brings the heat with habanera BBQ and jalapenos — if you like a completion of flavors.
And then there are the wings. Truman’s has won dozens of awards for its house-made BBQ sauces — thirteen in all — but the standout is the Berry Hot, a perfect balance of raspberry sweetness and habanero heat. Pair them with waffle fries or the famous Yukon Gold mashed potatoes, and you’ve got a meal worth bragging about.
Strong Drinks and Game Day Glory
Truman’s takes its drinks just as seriously as its food. With twenty beers on tap and more than fifty-five bottled options, the beer selection is extensive. But the real stars of the bar menu are the cocktails.
The Bloody Mary is legendary, converting even non-fans with its perfectly balanced spice and tang. The Mules are crisp and refreshing. If you want something with a kick, try the Cherry Limeade or one of the eight margarita flavors.
For bourbon lovers, Truman’s top-shelf collection boasts more than sixteen authentic Kentucky bourbons, appealing to casual sippers and whiskey connoisseurs.
And when it’s game day? The place transforms.
During Chiefs games, Truman’s “paints the town red” in the most literal way. Fans pack every inch of the space, with everyone wearing jerseys as they watch the action unfold on more than fifty TVs, including eleven giant projection screens. During the college seasons, Mizzou black and gold is equally important with loyal and spirited fans. Reservations aren’t accepted — this is first-come, first-served territory. If you want a prime seat, get here early and settle in with a plate of wings and a cold beer.
More Than Just a Bar
While Truman’s is undeniably a sports bar, it’s also a place where stories unfold.
It’s where kids press their faces against the fish tank’s glass, mesmerized by the swimming inhabitants. (Once, a customer dropped in battery-powered jellyfish so lifelike they stayed for seven years before wearing out.)
It’s where a table of firefighters can decompress after a long night. Where friends meet for Happy Hour and end up closing the place down. Where someone tries a Bloody Mary for the first time and is surprised, they enjoyed it. (That person is me.)
Celebrating 20 Years of Truman’s
It’s worth celebrating the twenty-year milestone in any restaurant. When visiting Truman’s expect food and drink specials, giveaways, and — of course — a packed house. So come for the wings, the breakfast, or the game. Stay for the people, the drinks, and the stories. Here’s to twenty years — and many more to come.